Medicinal Forest Garden Trust Update April 2025
A quarterly update on medicinal forest gardening from the UK
In this April issue, items include a new course, news about the Agroforestry Research Trust, trees in Ireland, European Agroforestry, Herbal Reality advice, plus a tree tea subscription, several books including a great recipe for a herb cocktail.
TALKS, EVENTS AND COURSES
New course from the Medicinal Forest Garden Trust!!
Discover Medicinal Forest Gardening is a new short course that introduces designing, using and understanding healing plants in the forest garden context. Students can begin to explore trees and shrubs that heal, permaculture design, and making remedies safely and sustainably. The course tutored by Anne Stobart, experienced medical herbalist, provides details of further learning opportunities and information available from the Medicinal Forest Garden Trust. This is a free online taster course of three lessons. You can access details and enrolment for 'Discover Medicinal Forest Gardening' here...
UK Agroforestry Open Weekend 16-19 May 2025
This weekend is a great opportunity for growers, farmers, campaigners, politicians, environmentalists and anyone else interested to have a look at agroforestry in action! Last year there were 50 locations to visit. The programme for 2025 is emerging here...
FOREST NEWS
Agroforestry Research Trust threat latest
Shockingly, the Dartington Hall Trust in Devon, UK, issued a notice to quit for the 2-acre food forest project established over 30 years ago. There has been a massive public response in support of the forest garden and ensuring its long-term future. Martin Crawford, founder and director of the Agroforestry Research Trust, has emphasised the benefits of this longstanding complex system of trees, shrubs and perennial plants. It has acted as a beacon for research and visitors with many other developments including courses and plants. You can sign the petition online and see an update on the campaign to ensure the future of the Dartington forest garden here...
PLANT RESOURCES AND SUPPLIES
Regenerative Harvests From Trees
From Trees is a supplier of woodland teas, making forest grown tea for people who love the outdoors. Their teas are designed to promote collective health by nurturing people, trees and the planet. From Trees was started to support agroforestry and non-timber harvests. They have now started a tree tea subscription service with some special offers, have a look at some lovely combinations such as Lime Flower and Apple or Willow, Elder and Hawthorn, here..
RESEARCH AND GUIDES
Finding Trees in Ireland
The Irish Tree Explorers Network recently held their end-of-project symposium on 19 March 2025. Based at University of Cork this is a Research Ireland-funded project conducted in partnership with Coillte, Tree Council of Ireland and the Office of Public Works. The project aimed to protect and celebrate trees by engaging the public with educational resources that explore the link between tree collections, sciences and culture. There is a listing of sites to visit and online activities and resources for tree identification with leaf and bud illustration sheets here ...
European Agroforestry Federation
The European Agroforestry Federation (EURAF) aims to promote the use of trees on farms throughout Europe and argues for agroforestry as a key tool for sustainable food systems. EURAF say Europe needs a sustainable, programme of tree planting and renewal on agricultural land. Their recent 2024 publication sets out a vision and is entitled Agricultural trees for resilient landscapes: A vision for European agroforestry (Version 1). There are links with the UK-based Farm Woodland Forum and an updated website is available here...
Herbal Reality
Herbal Reality offers a voice for herbal medicine and brings together a number of herbal authors with the support of the Earthsong Foundation. The mission is to share traditional, scientific and practical insights into herbal medicine that inspire a deeper understanding of the power of plants and natural healing. The Herbal Reality website is a great information source on many uses of herbs with appropriate cautions for safety. For example, you can find a detailed monograph on witch hazel here...
Or read what Jonas Brab has to say on ecological farming of herbs here ...
For a detailed overview of quality in herbs by Steve Woodley go here...
BOOKS AND VIDEOS
Permaculture Magazine on YouTube
Permaculture Magazine offer a great range of examples of sustainable gardening and living from their YouTube channel. During Permaculture Week in March, they have been sharing articles about growing in lots of different contexts, a recent example is from Pippa Chapman, permaculture designer, who shares tips on creating a mini forest garden here...
New Book on Forgotten Forests
Forgotten Forests: Twelve Thousand Years of British and Irish Woodlands by Jonathan Mullard will be out in May 2025. You will be able to read about neolithic farmers who migrated to Britain from Europe some six thousand years ago, leading to a dramatic change for the ecosystems. Forests were cleared for fields, trees and plants fed to livestock and predators hunted. A wild, forested world became one of agriculture and villages. Jonathan Mullard is a biologist and Britain’s first senior officer for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. In this book he retraces the history of the forgotten forests of Britain and Ireland, piecing together historical records going as far back as the written word and archaeological evidence available.
Check Out This Book on Herbal Drink Alternatives !!!
The Herbalist's Guide for the Sober Curious: 65 Garden to Glass Recipes by Leah Jorgensen Jean was published early in 2025. This book is full of recipes for the 'sober curious' who are mindful about alcohol consumption - satisfying mocktails for every occasion! Leah has kindly sent an example recipe for you to try!
Linden, Hawthorn and Chamomile Refresher
For this unique refresher, linden brings a subtle floral sweetness, hawthorn berry adds a hint of tartness and herbal complexity, while chamomile contributes a calming, floral note. Combined, they create an herbal drink with layers of flavour that promotes relaxation and wellness.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups of cold water
- 1/4 cup dried hawthorn berries
- 1/4 cup dried linden (lime) flowers
- 1/4 cup dried chamomile flowers
- 1/4 cup honey, or preferred sweetener
- Juice of 1/2 grapefruit
- Ice cubes
- Grapefruit slices, for garnish
- Optional: raw sugar rim; honey-water ice cubes with fresh or dried chamomile flowers
In a pitcher, combine cold water, berries, and flowers. Stir gently. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight, to infuse water with the flavours of the herbs. After infusing, strain through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a clean pitcher. Stir in the honey until it is fully dissolved. Add the grapefruit juice and stir to combine. Pour into glasses filled with ice. Garnish each with a slice of grapefruit and serve immediately.
Serves 4-5.
More about ordering this book The herbalist's guide for the sober curious: 65 garden-to-glass recipes from your independent bookstore or online here...
FINALLY
That's all folks, thanks for reading, the next issue of the Medicinal Forest Garden Trust Update in three months is in July 2025. If you have information to share related to medicinal forest gardening then do get in touch, by end of May 2025!